FIVE MAN RULES 

Over the Edge Paintball (OTEP) accepts no responsibility for any loss or injury sustained during play using these rules. 

  1. All players must fill out a waiver before play and those under 18 years of age must have written parental consent to play - such waiver forms are available at the tournament.
  2. Goggles must be worn at all times while on the playing field or in any unprotected or “Goggles On” area.  Goggles must be made for paintball play (full face and ear protection) and lenses must not have any cracks.
  3. All markers (paintball guns) will be .68 caliber and semi-automatic, i.e. fires only one shot per trigger pull, however the use of PSP mode will be allowed.  No fully automatic markers are allowed. Again, however, the use of PSP mode (fires 15 bps after third pull) will be allowed.  Players can only use one marker on the field at a time.
  4. Maximum velocity for the marker will be 300 fps (feet per second) as measured across a chronograph unless specified differently by the hosting field.  No tools are allowed on the field and no adjustments to the velocity may be made once the marker is chronographed before the start of the game.
  5. No more than two layers of clothing may be worn during play.  Must wear long pants – no shorts. No soft padding, water repellent clothing or ghillie suits are allowed.  Protective clothing such as gloves, hats, neck protectors, athletic supporters, bras, or rigid body armor are allowed.
  6. Barrel covers are required for all markers and shall be in place when the marker is not on the playing field.  Barrel bags are highly recommended over barrel plugs.
  7. A Captain's meeting will be held prior to the start of the tournament and each team must have one representative present at this meeting..
  8. Game time limit will be five (5) minutes, however, if dangerous weather or darkness is imminent then games may be shortened.  Players are expected to be at their field at least five minutes prior to the game. Any player absent when his/her team takes the field will be counted as an elimination and the opposing team will be awarded the points. Only teams which have back to back games will be granted additional time of ten (10) minutes to prepare for their next game. Teams not prepared to take the field, don't show up, or forfeit will be disqualified from that game and the opposing team will be awarded their average of their points per game for that game. The head referee will make this call.
  9. Rosters:  All teams will have a maximum of five (5) players on the field at one time. Teams are allowed to have three alternates (maximum 8 players per team). Once a player plays for one team he must only play on that team for the duration of the tournament.  A player is eliminated if he/she sustains a hit.  Referees on the field will be there to make such determinations.  Wiping of a paint mark to try and hide a hit is an automatic elimination and subject to penalty (see #19 below).
  10. A player may call for a paint check on themselves during a game.  If a player calls for a paint check on themselves, that player is not neutral until a referee touches the player and calls them neutral.  Opposing players may not advance, attempt to advance, or mark the neutral player.  If the referee finds him “clean” he will announce this so normal play can continue.
  11. Any player who assumes the posture of an eliminated player such as raising hand or marker above head, vocalizing they are hit, or using a barrel cover will be considered eliminated by the referee.
  12. An eliminated player is required to place their hand on the top of their head and exit to their "dead box" in the shortest route without drawing undue attention to themselves or blocking play.  Any player not adhering to this may be considered as "playing on" and subject to a continuation of play penalty (see #19 below).
  13. A flag is considered pulled when it is removed from it's station and held by an unmarked player. If the player is shot after the pull that player's team still receives the points for the pull but the player must stand in place holding the flag waiting for an active player to retrieve it. At the referee's discretion the player may hang the flag on a bunker or other object in clear sight and exit to the dead box. A flag carrier cannot conceal the flag once he has it. Unmarked players may pass the flag to other unmarked players, however a marked player holding a flag cannot pass to an unmarked player lest that player is also eliminated.  Note that in relay competition there will be no flag hangs.
  14. During a game no “coaching” from the sideline is allowed from any spectators.  Spectators that do so will be asked by the referee to leave and at the discretion of the referee the player may be eliminated because of this and additional penalties assessed (see #19 below).  
  15. A Freeze may be used by the referee when the game is out of control or he believes the flag carrier is marked. Once a freeze is called all play in the area is to halt and the players are to hold their positions until play is resumed. No advancements can take place at this time. Play will resume only at the call of the referee.
  16. Players must start in front of the net with their barrel touching the net.  If a player uses the net as a bunker by going behind it then that player is eliminated.
  17. Players may not go outside the designated boundaries or they are considered eliminated. They also may not shoot outside the boundaries.
  18. No physical contact between players is allowed.
  19. Penalties will be assessed as follows at the discretion of the referees: a) eliminated and continuing to play with unobvious hit - one for one at discretion of referee, b) eliminated and continuing to play with obvious hit - two for one, c) physical contact - player eliminated from tournament and a 50 point penalty - additional actions if warranted, d) wiping - two for one, e) unsportsmanlike conduct - elimination from tournament and penalty up to 50 points, f) last player playing on after obvious hit - 10 point penalty, g) coaching from sideline - one for one. Note that an obvious hit is any hit on the meaty part of the body or any hit, in the referee's opinion, that was acknowledged by the player. Also, one for one means the offending player is taken out plus one more player from the same team. Two for one means the offending player plus two players from the same team.
  20. Points will be scored as follows (maximum of 100 points): a) 4 points for each eliminated player, b) 2 points for each live player c) 20 points for first flag pull, d) 50 points for flag hang. In The top teams from the preliminary rounds will advance to the finals and play a round robin, with their points deciding tournament winners. Points are not carried over from the preliminary rounds. In the case of a tie at the end of the preliminaries, advancement will be decided by the following criteria, in order: a) head to head record, b) total number of flag pulls, c) total of points scored by opposition, d) playoff game.

Use good sportsmanship, be safe, and have fun!

Back to Rules      Home